Revolving portable elevator.



No. 854,961. PATENTED MAY 28, 1907. T. J. MQGARTHY.

REVOLVING PORTABLE ELEVATOR.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 9, 1906,

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

Inventor PATENTED MAY 28, 1907.

T. J. MoGARTHY. REVOLVING: PORTABLE ELEVATOR.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 9, 1906.

/2-C! 1 192 06/2, afar,

UNITED STATES PATENT. OFFICE.

THOMAS JAMES MCCARTHY, OF LOS AN GELES, CALIFORNIA, ASSIGNOR TO MCCARTHY PORTABLE ELEVATOR COMPANY, OF JERSEY CITY, NEW JERSEY, A CORPORATION OF CALIFORNIA.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 28, 1907.

Application filed May 9,1906. 38118-1 315,881.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, THOMAS JAMES Mo- CARTHY, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of the city of Los Angeles, in the county of Los Angeles and State of California, have invented a new and useful Revolving Portable Elevator, of which the following is a specification.

ThlS invention is an im rovement upon the revolving portable p atform elevator originated by me and first disclosed in patent application Serial Number 191203, filed on the 29th day of January 1904. Like its prototype, the present machine has been designed for the handling of merchandise in warehouses and similar places and is distinguished in that, first, no part of the elevator frame obstructs the way to the platform at any height on the loading side, and secondly, the frame itself is able to revolve on a vertical pivot, in such manner that cases and other packages the len th of which is greater than the width of an a ley in the warehouse or piling place can be deposited upon and lifted with the platform and after a turn of ninety degrees can be unloaded sidewise, or vice versa loaded from either side of the aisle at the reqluired elevation, then revolved a quartioned and rotated in a space no larger and even less than is required to receive and turn by hand the biggest package in a lot of goods that are to be stacked or unstacked on or from the sides of an alleyway, this answering an urgent demand a almost general clamor for the saving of H r space.

Another characteristic feature of the improvement under consideration is that it provides for the maneuvering of cylindric containers as well as differently-shaped packages with the one and same machine, thereby enlarging its usefulness to a proportionate extent.

Figure 1 of the drawings hereto annexed gives a perspective view of this improved machine, in position for loading. Fig. 2 is a similar View, with the platform raised and the elevator frame turned about half-way around. Fi s. 3 and 4 are diagrammatic plan views, ilustrating the method of handling the loads with the machine in an alley between tiers of cases. Figs. 5 and 6 respectively give a rear elevation and a sideview,

both enlarged, of the actuating mechanism andmeans for controllin the ascent and descent of the platform. ig. 7 is a similarlyenlarged perspective -vieW of the platform with a short section of one of the guideways therefor. Figs.- 8, 9, and 10 are details pertaining to the lower part of the elevator. Figs. 11 and 12 are details of a safety device connected with the said actuating mechanism and controlling means.

As in the machine covered by the former a plication, Serial No. 191203, the form of t e invention herein disclosed comprises a truck 1, which is rovided to carry the elevator and from w ch it derives its portable feature. The bed of this truck consists of a pulley-like casting, preferably of malleable 11011, having, as shown, a rim (marked 1), a hub 2, and cross arms. 3. Stub-axles 4 are formed at two places on'the rim where met by the outer ends of adjoining arms, and small wheels 5 are journaled thereon, the axles being curved outward in opposite directions to enable the wheels to run in par.- allel vertical planes, as will be understood. This constitutes what may be termed the rear end of the truck.- Forwardly, the truck-bed has a central projection 6, to which is rigidly fastened a bracket or equivalent gooseneck extension 7, adapted tobear upon a vertically-disposed yoke 8, within which is mounted a steering-wheel 9, the yoke having an upward stem 10, fitted t0 swivel in the upper outer end of the bracket. A clevis 11 is coupled to the sides .of the yoke, and in the middle forward portion of the former is socketed or otherwise fixed a drawbar 12, having at its outer end a suitable loop or T-handle or knob, as at 13, wherewith the bar is conveniently taken hold of to pull and steer the machine wherever Wanted.

Under normal conditions, the truck above described will remain stationary wherever it is positioned, particularly if care be taken to turn the steering-wheel sidewise, either way, at an angle with relation to the running planes of the hind wheels. However, a

brake is provided for the steering-wheel, in order to prevent the machine from moving or shifting unduly under any'conditions, for instance, when left to stand on very smooth floors or inclined surfaces. This brake (Fig. 10) consists of a shoe 14, centrally pivoted within the clevis 11 and arranged to bear upon the periphery of the steering-Wheel, when the drawbar is down. A bend is made in the drawbar, as at 15, wherein the operator may set his foot and keep the brake 'firmly applied, if necessary. The bend 15 further serves to bring up the handle 13 within easy reach, and also to throw back the weight of the drawbar when raised to the fullest extent, so that the drawbar will then stand alone, as oftentimes it is desirable it should. To assist the drawbar in performing the latter-named function the yoke 8 is furnished on opposite sides with flat bar springs 16, which impinge upon the pivoted ends of the clevis 11 and thereby help to maintain the drawbar in its vertical position.

The elevator frame includes a laterallyprojected base 17, which consists of a casting of similar shape and design as the truck-bed, the same having a rim designated by 17, a hub 18, and cross arms 19, and being further strengthened by additional arms 20, where the strain is most likely to occur in working the loads on and off the machine. It is intended that this base shall bear and turn upon the truck-bed, and therefore these parts are united centrally by means of a vertical pin or screw-bolt 21, passing through their hubs 18, 2, and constituting the pivot or axis around which the former can revolve upon the latter. Ball-bearings 22 and 23 (Fig. 8) are furthermore provided between the bed and base to obviate friction. The balls are disposed annularly in matching concentric grooves cut in the contiguous faces of the bed and base and respectively forming central and peripheral races 24 and 25 therein. To economize in the number of balls, they may be used in broken lines insteadof endless series, by dividing them into substantially equidistant groups by means of Spreaders, as 26, functioned to keep them at suitable intervals apart. The spreaders may be made more or less resilient to counteract expansion and contraction of the ballraces or bearings due to climatic variations.

Two columns 27 and 28 are set upon one side of the aforementioned base, to act as supports for the ascending and descending platform hereinafter described. They are made of metal, preference being given for the purpose to channeled steel, such as is employed in the manufacture of beams, and for that reason the said columns may be called vertical channel-beams. The channels in these beams are turned so as to face each other and serve as guideways for the platform, and edgewise the two beams are brought into alinement with the aforesaid arms 20 of the base 17. At their lower ends, the'beams or columns are rigidly fastened, for instance, by bolts as shown, to and within angle pieces 29, cast with the base, and their upper ends are-similarly secured together by a girder 30 and angles 31. Between the top and bottom, the columns are further united by parallel braces 32, crossbraced one to the other, as at 33. Thus is com leted the elevator frame, which may be pro uced upward to any desirable height consistent with the area of the base with which it is meant to revolve, the machine being made low or high or medium-sized, ac-

cording to requisitions.

The platform is com osed of two bent arms 34 and 35, interbrace(l as at 36 in their vertical portions, and horizontally united also by tie-rods 37, the forearms carrying above the tie-rods a series of rolls 38, upon which the loads are received. Tongued -andgrooved boards or other flooring may be substituted for these rolls, if desired, and the other parts of the platform can analogously be modified. But whatever its structural make-up may consist of, it is purposed that .the plane of projection of the load-receiving portion of the platform shall be at all times directly over and parallel with the base of the elevator frame, that they may interbalanee and gyrate together in one and the same vertical plane above the bed of the. truek. The platform is connected with the base side of the elevator frame pursuant-1y to this idea. it is open and accessible on the other three sides.

beyond each and all of which the load may extend, so far as permitted at least by the width of the alley where the machine is operated. The upper arms are utilized as guides, andaccordingly shaped to slide upon the front of the vertical beams and opposite the channels therein, they being bent inwardly at right angles, as at 39, and formed with wings or rearward extensions 40. By front is here meant that face of the (olumns or vertical channel-beams from which the platform projects out, coinciding with what is ordinarily taken as the loading or unloading side, irrespective of the position of the elevator upon the truck thereunder. Truncated conical rollers 41, 42, are provided at both the upper and lower ends of the wings 40, to bear upon the flaring or sloping inner walls of the channel-beams (as usually made), the top rollers bearing forward, and the bottom rollers rearward. Other rollers 43, 44, mounted in split studs 45, are also placed within the wings, as shown in Fig. 7, likewise to bear upon the webs or main portions of the beams. Thesev various rollers, it is understood, not only lessen frietion but besides distribute the strain over a wide surface.

For the handling of barrels and like cylindric containers, the platform may be supplied with an apron or forward extension, which will be of assistance in rolling them on or off, as the case may be. One of the simplest forms of such an extension is illustrated in Fig. 7, wherein the same is shown as consisting of two folded arms 46, suitably jointed to the forearms of the latform as at 47, and arranged when in then idle position to recline back each on a pin 48, projecting outwardly from each forearm. By unfolding the extension arms- 46' and throwing them forward and slightly downward as suggested by the dotted lines, they maybe used as a pair of skids, as will be readily perceived without further explanation.

To avoid jar or violent impact of the platform with the underlying base, such as would be caused by careless handling, the platform is provided on the under side with two or more rubber bumpers, as 49, which are shown as being attached to its forearms and projecting downward so as to meet and bear,"

when lowered, upon the more massive portions of the base casting below. Or, conversely, the bumpers can be set in the casting and adapted to receive the impact of the platform, as may be preferred.

When in its lowermost position, theplatform will normally be loaded from its for ward end, which corresponds with what has been heretofore referred to as the rear end of the truck. To lock it in this position and thereby do away with all guesswork about centering the platform and the load thereon for rapid handling in a narrow aisle, the elevator frame is furnished with a spring latch 50, conveniently applied as indicated in Figs. 1 and 10. The spring part of the latch is preferably angular or V-shaped as detailed at Fig. 9, and it has a suitable head fitted to a cavity 51 (best seen in Fig. 2) formed in the top surface of the bracket 7, in which cavity the head is received and automatically pressed by the sprin as the frame is swung round to bring the p atform into the correct loading (or unloading) position on the base. This latch is quickly lifted out of its recess in the bracket, to free the frame, either by a slight upward thrust of the foot or manually with the aid of a lifting rod 52 (Fig. 10).

Provision is made to raise the platform by means ofa wire ro e or cable 53, clamped or otherwise fastene at one end to the cross brace 36 and thence running up over a sheave 54, which is suspended by a'swiveling hanger 55 from the girder 30 of the elevator frame, the other end of the cable passing down from the sheave to a winding-drum 56, to which it is secured. This drum is spirally grooved throughout its circumference and of sufficient diameter and length to receive singly in its furrow-like depressions 57 the several bights of the cable as the latter is coiled to raise the platform. It is keyed on a shaft .58, journaled in and across a pair of uprights 59, 60, that stand one before the other in a median plane running fore and aft of the elevator frame between its-columns 27, 28.- By preference, the rear upright (59) is cast integral with a plate 61, bolted to the base 17, and the forward upright (60) is bolted both to the rear one and to its said plate. Within and across them are also mounted two additional shafts 62 and 63,- located oneabove the other and both higher than the shaft 58, but in a same vertical lane therewith, the

three shafts lying paral e1 with one another.

These shafts are intergeared within the uprights by means of ordinar cog-wheels 64, 65, and pinions 66, 67, so t at the drum 56 may be revolved to wind the hoisting-cable at either one of two speeds, by applying a crank,'as 68, to either one of the outwardlyprojecting ends'of the shafts 62, 63. It is almost superfluous to remark that the crank will be applied to the uppermost shaft for raising the heavier loads, and to the middle shaft for lighter'cha-rges or for raising the em ty platform preparatively to receiving .an taking down a load. The outer end of the to shaft also carries a ratchet-wheel 69, normaly engaged by a pawl 70, pivoted to the upper end of the rear upright, the said ratchet-wheel and pawl co-operating in a well-known manner, in checking back rotation of the (gearing when the platform is being elevate or if itis desired that the platform should remain at any particular point to which it may have been raised.

Guards 71 are laced over the gears (64, 65, 66, 67) aforesaid, as illustrated in Figs. 5 and 6. These guards consist of two light castings secured to opposite sides of the upright 59 and to each other, as shown. They cover the gears, particularly at the intermeshing points, and in so doing they not only shield and protect them from the injurious action of dust and rit, but also effectively bar them from possible harmful contact with the hand or clothing of a careless operator. If desired, the entire gearing could be housed instead of being partly covered from above as represented in the drawings, in which case the guards would have such additional fastenings as might be required, and would be further rovided with suitable oil-holes for lubricatlon of the gears within.

A double-acting brake is provided to control' the retrograde movement of the gearing during the descent of the platform, the lowering of which is most expeditiously and conveniently effected by gravity. This brake consists of a steel band 72, coiled twice around each of two friction-pulleys 73, 74, keyed to the outer ends of the middle and lowermost gear-shafts 62, 58, respectively. The ends of the band are brought toward each other between the friction-pulleys, but at the same time are spread apart so as to be &

attached to opposite members of a centrallyfulcrumed lever 75, carried by the u right 59. The brake, it will be seen, is opera le b working either end of the lever singly or both ends simultaneously, one up and the other down. The lever gives a powerful purchase for tightening the band, and owing to the multiple coils thereof an absolute command is gained over the friction-pulleys and earing, such that the platform can be let own steadily, swiftly, and noiselessly. Suitable handles 76, 77, are placed or formed on the ends of the lever, and there may be inscribed thereon reminding phrases as pull up, push down, or expressions of like import, respectively intended to guide the operator in correctly manipulating the lever by moving its handles each in the right direction.

11 order to prevent accidents, which might befall the absent-minded or ignorant wouldbe operators who would forget or would not know that the crank must be removed to keep it from flying back with the unwinding ears when the platform is lowered, it has een deemed best to so arrange the pawl 70 over the ratchet-wheel 69 that it cannot be raised therefrom without applying the crank to it. To this end, a sprin 78 is fastened to the upright 59 and cause to bear upon the awl heavily enough to prevent the latter from being raised by hand. The pawl is also made rigid with its 1pivot, 79, which may turn slightly in a suitab e bearing provided in the upright, and is squared at its outer end, as at 80, to fit the socket part of the crank. A stop-pin 81, fixed in the upright and made to project above and across the top of the pawl,

, is further provided to limit the pawls upward m'ovement'when forced out of engagement with the teeth of the ratchet-wheel. With this arrangement, the operator will be compelled to take the crank off its shaft (63 or 62) and apply it to the end 80 of the ivot 79 before he can free the ratchet-whee and gearing from the arresting pawl and allow the platform to descend, and shouldhe let go the crank then, the spring-pressed pawl will automatically re-engage the ratchet-wheel and sto further movement. The inachine is there y rendered es ecially safe to handle and, as far as practicab e, proof against idiotic manipulation by incompetent workmen or meddling persons.

The most approved method of lowering the platform with the aid of the above-described brake, is first to pull up on the left handle 76 with the left hand to loosen the pawl on the ratchet-wheel, sli htly turning the crank on its shaft if need e; secondly, remove the crank from its shaft with the right hand, and apply it to the squared end of the pawls pivot; thirdly, keep pulling on the left handle and lift the pawl o-ut of the ratchet-wheel by rocking the pivot with the crank; and fourthly, gage the hold on the case thereon lengthwise.

handle so as to leave the gears and drum free to unwind the hoisting-cable evenl and not too ra idly. By following these irections, the p atform can be brought down with despatch and with safety both to itself and to its load.

The diagrams (Figs 3 and 4) give a graphic demonstration of the peculiar capacity of the machine for handling loads in close quarters, a work for which it is eminently adapted. The machine is there shown as being stationed between (broken) rows of cases, respectively marked 82 and 83,.and affording a passage between them barely wide enough to haul the machine through and allow it to revolve upon itself. The numeral 84 designates the load on the platform, consisting of one of the cases to be tiered, and represented by dotted lines. It is ap arent, first by referring to Fig. 3, that the p atform can be loaded with a case larger than itself and as long as and even longer than the passage is wide, by depositing the Now, assuming that the platform has been raised to the required height, a quarter revolution of the elevator frame will swing it around with the case 84 over either of the previouslystacked rows of cases 82 or 83, in position to be unloaded, as plainly seen from Fig. 4. Con- 5 trariwise, the case 84 can be taken off either row 82 or 83 by ushing it onto the raised platform, as in ig. 4, then iving the elevator a uarter turn, and fina ly landing the case in t e position outlined in Fig. 3. It is understood, of course, that the platform can be both loaded and unloaded without advancing or pushing back the machine, the two figures (3 and 4) bein resorted to merely to avoid the confusion oflines that would result from an attemptuat showing the loading and unloadingpositions both in a single View.

No claim is made herein to the embodiment or realization of the broad idea of a revolvin portable platform elevator, the same ein fully covered by the aforesaid atent app ication 191,203, but the particuar features claimed as possessing especial novelty and usefulness in the improvement hereinabove disclosed are:

1. A revolving ortable elevator comprising a truck, an e evator frame with a laterally-projected base rotatably supported thereon, a platform located upon and rotating with he frame, and means carried by the elevator. or raising and lowering the platform.

2. In a revolving portable elevator, the combination with a truck, of a frame with a laterallyrojected base extending over the truck an adapted to rotate thereon, a platform connected with the frame and having its load-receiving portion projected above and parallel with the base so as to revolve in a same vertical plane therewith, and means IIC carried b the elevator for raising and lowering the p atform. v

. 3. Ina revolving portable elevator, the

combination with a truck, of a frame having.

IO 4. -In--a revolving portable elevator, the

combination with a truck, of arevoluble.

frame with a base extendi over the truckbed, .ball-bearm s. arrange peripheralraces ormed in said bed and base,

r a platform, and means forraising and lowering it on the revoluble frame,

5. In a revolving combination of a true -bed, a pair of wheels secured to the rear end thereof, a steering- Wheel at the forward end of the bed, a yoke within which the steering-wheel is'mounted,

a bracket projecting forwardly from the bed and having a swivel connection with the yoke, a drawbar, an elevator frame with a 2 5 lateral base extension rotatably mounted on the. truck-bed, a platform connected with the frame and means for raisi and lowering it.

6. In a revolving orta le elevator, the combination of a true mounted on suitable 0 Wheels, a clevis attached to the mountin of a forward wheel, a brake-shoe ada te to.

bear on the forward wheel and secure within the clevis, a 'drawbar having a ri 'd connection with the clevisand vertical ymovable therewith, a rotar elevator frame on the bed of the truck,a p atform on the frame, and hoisting apparatus.

7. In a revolving portable elevator, the

combination of a truck having a air of wheels at one end and a leading whee at the opposite end, a verticall -movable drawbar connected with the lea -wheels mounting,

one or more s ri son the mounting adapted to hold the rliat r iar in a standing position,

5 an elevator frame rotatably mounted on the truck-bed, a platform connected with the frame, and means for raising and lowering the platform. I

8. Ina revolving portable elevator, the combination of a truck, an elevator frame thereon with a lateral base extension ar-, ran ed to bear and revolve on the truck-bed, a p atform with vertical 'des-fitted to the frame and a horizontal lad-receiving portion projecting outwardly therefrom over the base, an extension to the platform consisting of a pair of folding arms ivoted to its outer end, and pins projecting om op osite sides of the platform on which the olded oo arms may rest. 7

9. In arevolvin ortable elevator, the combination of a truci, an elevator frame thereon comprising oppositely-turned vertical channel-beams standing on one side of a base extending over and revoluble upon the having in" central and ortable elevator, the V B truck-bed, a vertically movable platform fitted to the beams and serving as guides thereon, studs on the upper arms, rollers carried by the studs and engagin the webs of the opposite beams, and means or movmg the platform' up and down the frame.

10. In a revolving portable elevator, the combination of a truck, a rotary elevator frame thereon including oppositely-turned vertical channel-beams with flaring inner walls, a platform having guides fitte to the forward edges of the beamsand provided therein, conical rollers on the win s bearing beams, intermediate rollers respectively bearframe rotatably mounted thereon, a platform and means for raising and lowering it, Including parallel shafts and intermeshing gears thereon, a band-brake ada ted to check two of the shafts, and a doub e-acting lever connected with the ends of the brake 13. In a revolving portable elevator, the

frame with a laterall tending over and revo u le upon the truckbed, a platform connected with the frame, uprights secured to the base within the frame and revolving therewith, means for raising and lowering the platform, including superimposed shafts joumaledin theup hts and provided with intermeshing gears, 'ction-pulle on two of the shafts, a bandbrake coiled around each friction-pulley,

opposite sides 0 its fulcrum to the ends of the band-brake.

14. In a revolving portable elevator, the combination with a truck, of an elevator frame rotatably mounted thereon, a latform and means for moving it up and own the frame, includi intermeshed ears andsuitable shafting t erefor, a rate et-wheel and pawl to normally check back-rotation of the gears, and means for lpreventing the lifting of the pawl by hand, t e pawl having a rigid pivot adapted to be rocked by means of a crank.

15. In a revolving portable elevator, the combination with a truck, of an elevator frame rotatably mounted thereon, a platform connected with the frame, means for bent arms with their upper portions.

with. wings extending across the channels.

ing upon the bottom of each channel, and

combination with a truck, of an elevator.

Eprojected base ex-.

oppositely upon the flaring wals of the combination with a truck, of an elevator and a centrallyivoted lever connected on raising and lowering the platform, including suitable gearing and shafts therefor, a ratchet-wheel on one of the shafts, a spring-' pressed pawl engaging the ratchet-wheel and causing it norma ly. to prevent retrograde movement of the gearing, the pawl being incapable of manipular o eration, and a rigid pivot for the awl a apted to receive a crank, to be roc ed thereby.

16. In a revolving portable elevator, the combination with a truck, of an elevator frame rotatably mounted thereon, a vertically-movable platform and means for moving it, including intergeared shafts, a ratchetwheel and pawl operating normally to check I 5 ed to be rocke tierewith by means 0 a crank, and a stop to limit the outward move- 20 ment of the pawl. In testlmony whereof I afiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

THOMAS JAMES MCCARTHY.

Witnesses:

A. H. STE. MARIE, W. C. COLLINS. 

